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librarimans's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fantastic read, one of the best surprises of the New 52. It's essentially D & D meets the Justice League set in the DCnU Dark Ages with a cast of fascinating characters. Definitely worth a read.
nenya_kanadka's review against another edition
5.0
So my wife read this when it first came out, and I was always put off by the cover art and the fact that there was a demon in it. OMG, I'm so glad I gave it a try when she pulled them out of storage this week!
I love the whole team (even Savage, in this first one), though Etrigan himself is the least interesting to me. This is one of those cases where I have to write either two sentences or three pages, so I'll just say that Exoristos/Shining Knight is my new favourite romance, and I loved how everybody was so funny. This thing's a hell (heh) of a lot of fun. Would rec!
I love the whole team (even Savage, in this first one), though Etrigan himself is the least interesting to me. This is one of those cases where I have to write either two sentences or three pages, so I'll just say that Exoristos/Shining Knight is my new favourite romance, and I loved how everybody was so funny. This thing's a hell (heh) of a lot of fun. Would rec!
karliclover's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not gonna lie, I started reading Demon Knights for Etrigan. I've always liked Etrigan, but I've never really read any of his stories.
Anyway, I liked this book. It was a little confusing at times and it took a while for things to get started, but when it finally got the pace up, it was pretty good. What took me by surprise was that Vandal Savage was in it (it really shouldn't have because he's immortal. I don't know why I didn't expect him to be in it). But what surprised me even more was that he was a good guy.
I really liked the characterizations of all of the seven heroes (Etrigan/Jason, Xanadu, Shining Knight, Horsewoman, Vandal Savage, and Al-Jabr); they're all driven and plagued by unique different things.
One thing I didn't get, was the dragons. I mean, yeah, dragons fit in with the whole "middle ages" theme, but these weren't those kinds of dragons. These were dinosaurs. Brontosaurus, triceratops, velociraptors, etc. I hope this gets explained in later issues. Aside from that confusing part, the magic and sorcery and medieval themes were really cool.
I'll definitely be picking up issues 8-12 and I already have the 0 issue.
Anyway, I liked this book. It was a little confusing at times and it took a while for things to get started, but when it finally got the pace up, it was pretty good. What took me by surprise was that Vandal Savage was in it (it really shouldn't have because he's immortal. I don't know why I didn't expect him to be in it). But what surprised me even more was that he was a good guy.
I really liked the characterizations of all of the seven heroes (Etrigan/Jason, Xanadu, Shining Knight, Horsewoman, Vandal Savage, and Al-Jabr); they're all driven and plagued by unique different things.
One thing I didn't get, was the dragons. I mean, yeah, dragons fit in with the whole "middle ages" theme, but these weren't those kinds of dragons. These were dinosaurs. Brontosaurus, triceratops, velociraptors, etc. I hope this gets explained in later issues. Aside from that confusing part, the magic and sorcery and medieval themes were really cool.
I'll definitely be picking up issues 8-12 and I already have the 0 issue.
shane_tiernan's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars. This story just "jumped right into it". A bunch of "established" heroes who we don't get any background on, thrown together to defend a village and get a message to the big city that a horde is on the way. It was like starting a D&D campaign at 7th level. All these heroes are badass, but I guess that's the only way they would have a chance at holding off the horde. Gets pretty dark at times, but I don't really feel a connection with any of the characters. Hoping it gets better.
miamollekin's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I did not enjoy this.
rltinha's review against another edition
2.0
Trashy até aos quarks.
Mas há velociraptors em armaduras medievas, violência gratuita e o lettering é surpreendentemente ok.
A ideia é ler a primeira trade de cada um dos new 52 da DC.
[51 to go.]
Mas há velociraptors em armaduras medievas, violência gratuita e o lettering é surpreendentemente ok.
A ideia é ler a primeira trade de cada um dos new 52 da DC.
[51 to go.]
eilif_has_no_gender's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I really liked reading this series. It was really fun.
I'm not going to say a lot due to spoilers but the story has a nonbinary and (and kind of implied) intersex character who falls in love with a woman (unknown sexuality).
I highly suggest you at least try the story.
I'm not going to say a lot due to spoilers but the story has a nonbinary and (and kind of implied) intersex character who falls in love with a woman (unknown sexuality).
I highly suggest you at least try the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Violence, Death, Blood, and Torture
Minor: Sexism and Ableism
old_tim's review against another edition
4.0
In the midst of the Dark Ages, seven strangers are forced to work together to defend a village from an advancing army. Of course, since this is a DC comic, & a supernatural one at that, the strangers are more than perhaps meets the eye. We have a demon, a sorceress, an amazon, an immortal, & several others who are more than normal humans.
Demon Knights gives Cornell an opportunity to play with a variety of comic & fantasy tropes. Our protagonists are more grey hats than white hats, each working for his or her own motivation, which are not necessarily for the greater good. The villains of the piece do not have the same subtlety. They are pure black hats, willing to pillage & kill for their own gain.
While not as grim or nihilistic as some modern age comics, Dark Knights does feature quite a bit of graphic violence. Our Dark Age protagonists do not have any Silver Age prohibitions about killing, & often this is depicted in graphic ways.
If one goal of the “New 52” was to make DC’s titles more accessible to new readers, then Demon Knights has succeeded admirably. Cornell balances information and mystery well, giving enough information to allow for characterization, yet allowing for questions yet to be answered. Additionally, as a standalone piece, this first volume works well as a complete story arc.
Demon Knights gives Cornell an opportunity to play with a variety of comic & fantasy tropes. Our protagonists are more grey hats than white hats, each working for his or her own motivation, which are not necessarily for the greater good. The villains of the piece do not have the same subtlety. They are pure black hats, willing to pillage & kill for their own gain.
While not as grim or nihilistic as some modern age comics, Dark Knights does feature quite a bit of graphic violence. Our Dark Age protagonists do not have any Silver Age prohibitions about killing, & often this is depicted in graphic ways.
If one goal of the “New 52” was to make DC’s titles more accessible to new readers, then Demon Knights has succeeded admirably. Cornell balances information and mystery well, giving enough information to allow for characterization, yet allowing for questions yet to be answered. Additionally, as a standalone piece, this first volume works well as a complete story arc.
kenningjp's review against another edition
4.0
One day, someone will deliver a good Vandal Savage story. This book is good if you just block out this weak interpretation of a great villain. Where this book excels is in its new look at Etrigan/Jason and Madame Xanadu. Ex and Horsewoman are great heroes and Al-Jabr is very capable as the brains of the bunch. But, what's especially enjoyable about this book is Shining Knight. Here, we finally get a bona fide superqueero. Androgyny has come to comics and it's fabulous.
sherpawhale's review against another edition
4.0
A more-than-solid addition to the new 52. I didn't pick this up despite the great reviews because my pull list was already quite big; should have dropped Catwoman and picked this up.
The core 7 characters felt pretty well introduced and set up for new adventures. I look forward to seeing them fleshed out even further, especially the Shining Knight.
I wish, though, that in the 7 issues there could have been slightly more than "The Horde! They approach!" and the villain did kind of disappear in a cliche manner.
The best thing, by far, is how many female characters there are (4 main ones, right?). And they all are extremely diverse and have a part to play in saving the day. This makes me so happy, compared with SOME of the other series out there.
Overall, an 8 out 10. I will definitely pick up volume 2 and maybe even the #0 issue. Recommend if one is looking to expand outside of traditional superheroes.
The core 7 characters felt pretty well introduced and set up for new adventures. I look forward to seeing them fleshed out even further, especially the Shining Knight.
I wish, though, that in the 7 issues there could have been slightly more than "The Horde! They approach!" and the villain did kind of disappear in a cliche manner.
The best thing, by far, is how many female characters there are (4 main ones, right?). And they all are extremely diverse and have a part to play in saving the day. This makes me so happy, compared with SOME of the other series out there.
Overall, an 8 out 10. I will definitely pick up volume 2 and maybe even the #0 issue. Recommend if one is looking to expand outside of traditional superheroes.